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I came across this Swiss+Tech outdoors and camping tool set after looking for alternative door opener EDC tools, and it sure is… something?
To me, SwissTech – I hope you don’t mind my simplified spelling of the name – is one of those brands that has always made gimmicky but also useful mini multi-tool thingamajigs. Things like mini keychain tools with pliers, and the like.
I wasn’t surprised to see SwissTech offering a low-contact door opener EDC tool, but a camping tool set? So I took a closer look and quickly wish I hadn’t.
At the surface, this looks like a collection of thrown-together cool-looking outdoor knives and tools.
But a closer look at things get absurd.
The hatchet-like tool, which SwissTech describes as both a “camping axe” has a one-piece design with “rope handle.” It has a typical tacticool-looking design, but the hex wrench cutouts caught my attention.
2/5″, 1/2″, and 3/5″ wrench sizes? For what?
And what is in the background? A guy in a hoodie sweatshirt doing weighted rope exercises? Is that what people do when camping these days?
I was going to let things go and just close the browser window until I saw this image. 2/5″, 1/2″, and 3/5″ hex wrench sizes. In an “axe.”
Next up, a “one-piece camping knife with rope handle.” SwissTech also describes this as a “hunting knife.”
SwissTech says that this tool kit is “an ideal choice for camping, hiking, hunting, survival tactics, travel, etc.” Sure.
The background for this product image looks to be a fire that has burned well out of control.
SwissTech says:
There is also a serrated edge at the bottom of the blade, which can be used for fast-cutting rope.
Where is this serrated edge – are they talking about the jimping on the spine that’s most certainly not supposed to be sharp enough to cut anything?
Of course, what kind of outdoor and camping tool set doesn’t have a machete knife?!
The set also comes with a headlamp that looks inexpensive but otherwise unremarkable.
You also get a 50-foot skein of paracord or rope, 2 carabiner clips, and a fire starter.
Somehow the “multi took striker” that supposed to be used with the fire-starting flint is shown doubling as a bottle opener, although I can’t visualize how this would work.
I took a quick look to see, if this was a one-off product for SwissTech, and it’s not.
The same “hunting knife” appears to also be sold in 3-packs as throwing knives, and comes with paper targets. Because… sure?
Don’t worry, the 3-for-$20 knife features “exquisite workmanship.”
The camping tool set comes with just 1 knife, but the separate 3-pack allows you to… post with alternating grips and fingerless gloves while staring at wild animals.
If all that’s not cool enough for you, the same OEM also makes a Mossy Oak camping tool set. The top Amazon review starts off by saying “great for camping and zombie defense.”
Now, I know that not everyone can afford premium camping gear, knives, or headlamps, but is there any utility in a set like this? Is this the type of outdoors tool set that beginners buy because they think they need it?
